Monthly Unemployment at Just 6.8% – David Stanton

23rd February 2017

Numbers at work at highest level since 2008

Cork East Fine Gael TD and Minister of State at the Department of Justice, David Stanton has welcomed the reduction in the monthly unemployment rate to 6.8%. Figures published in the Central Statistics Office Quarterly National Household Survey show that employment continues to increase with approximately 1,300 jobs created every week in 2016.

“Since the launch of the Action Plan for Jobs in February 2012 there are now 205,900 more people at work which exceeds by more than 100% the Action Plan target of 100,000 additional jobs by the end of 2016. There are now over 2 million people at work in Ireland and it is the 18th quarter in a row where unemployment has declined. Employment grew in all 14 economic sectors during 2016 with the largest increases in construction, industry and professional, scientific & technical activities”, noted Minister Stanton.

“The work of the enterprise agencies and Local Enterprise Offices to bring jobs to every corner of the country is supported by Regional Action Plans for Jobs. The proof of this is that 70% of 66,100 new jobs created last year were created outside of the Dublin area and these increases are reflected in Live Register figures in my constituency of Cork East:

“The rise in employment nationally and decline in figures on the Live Register locally are very encouraging in particular for the under 25s. They clearly show that Government’s Action Plan is working to support an environment where jobs are being created. These new employment opportunities are making a real difference to people’s lives, those of their families and communities.